WATCH: Ravens Exploit Loophole In NFL Rulebook To Run Out The Clock In Whacky Final Play

Brian Feibus

(Getty Images)

Down a touchdown with 11 seconds remaining, the Cincinnati Bengals thought they’d have one last chance to make a miracle happen. But rather than punt away on 4th and 11 and allow a potential punt return for a touchdown a la DeSean Jackson vs. the Giants, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh exploited the rules to end the game.

Ravens punter Sam Koch took the snap and rather than booting the ball away held on to it, stalling in the endzone. His offensive lineman intentionally held all the Bengals defenders until there were zeroes on the clock, and then Koch stepped out of the back of the endzone for a safety. While an NFL game can’t end on a defensive penalty, it apparently can end on a thousand offensive holding penalties.

Definitely one of the weirdest final plays in NFL history.

Kudos to Harbaugh for realizing the loophole and having his team take advantage of it. And congratulations to everybody out there who wagered on over 32 points in a 10-point teaser.